Nov. 10, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The 10^th installment of the 2008 NAIA National Football Players of the Week were announced today (Nov. 10): Cody Capps of the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) was named NAIA Special Teams Player of the Week, Kurtis Lane of Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) University was named NAIA Defensive Player of the Week and Cris Reisert of Ohio Dominican University was named NAIA Offensive Player of the Week, for the week of Nov. 3-9. These winners were chosen out of a pool of conference player of the week performers among 10 conferences and independents.

 

Capps, a 6-1, 220 lbs., senior linebacker from Indianapolis, Ind., accomplished something on special teams that is rare. He blocked two punts in the 45-24 win over No. 10 Malone (Ohio). His first block came in the second quarter and set up a St. Francis field goal which gave USF a 24-7 lead. His second rejection in Malone territory was a pivotal play. Teammate Jarrell Hunter scooped up the block and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown that pushed the Cougar lead to 31-10 in the third quarter. On defense, he posted eight total tackles (1 solo) in the winning effort.

 

Lane, a 6-3, 250 lbs., senior defensive lineman from Spirit Lake, Iowa was a big reason for Dakota Wesleyan to upset then-No. 12 Northwestern (Iowa) on the road. Kurtis finished with 13 tackles (8 solo), 3.5 tackles-for-loss totaling 41 yards and 1.0 sack. He also forced two fumbles and had one pass break-up in the 17-6 victory. He was part of a defense to limit Northwestern well below its season average of 31.3 points coming into the game. ON the season, his 8.5 TFL's rank third on the team and 47 total tackles rank seventh.

 

Reisert, a 6-2, 210 lbs., senior quarterback from Cincinnati, Ohio is making national headlines of late with his passing. In the 56-0 win over visiting Urbana (Ohio), Cris went 21-for-26 passing for 381 yards and four touchdowns. He also had five rushing attempts for 32 yards. In the process, he broke two NAIA career records for passing yards (13,174) and touchdown passes (117). Overall, he either holds or has tied nine national records over the course of his career, including three career marks this year. This Saturday (Nov. 15), he needs 317 yards to break the all-time national total offensive yards mark of 13,979. He currently ranks third in the country in passing yards/game (312.6), fourth in total offense/game (324.8) and 18^th in pass efficiency (148.3).

 

For a complete listing of all the national statistical leaders, click here.

 

The final Player of the Week announcement will be Monday, Nov. 17.

 

Offensive Nominees:
Danny Lowery, Langston (Okla.); Michael Hayward, St. Ambrose (Iowa); Kyle Callahan, Union (Ky.); Ethan Haller, Ottawa (Kan.); Stinson Dean, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.); Brandon Bishop-Parise, Dickinson State (N.D.); Bubba Slaba, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)

 

Defensive Nominees:

Ken Mitchell, Kansas Wesleyan; Cunningham Anson, Pikeville (Ky.); Colin Green, St. Ambrose (Iowa); Evan Twedt, Jamestown (N.D.); Mark Drobac, St. Francis (Ind.); Brandon Sam, Texas College; Adam Maher, Missouri Valley

 

Special Teams Nominees:

Ropheyel Howell, Bacone (Okla.); Scott Mckeon, Kansas Wesleyan; Kyle Chilton, Pikeville (Ky.); C.J. Gradoville, Morningside (Iowa); Nate Nygaard, Jamestown (N.D.); Adrian Trevino, Missouri Valley

 

2008 Composite Award Winners (Schedule):

WEEK 1:

Offense: Josh Kittell (Jamestown College) - SR, QB

Defense: Willie Williams (Union College) - SR, LB

Special Teams: Kevin Kinsall (McKendree University) - JR, K

 

WEEK 2:

Offense: Randy Hippeard (Virginia-Wise) - SR, QB

Defense: Jarrod Makovicka (Briar Cliff University) - JR, LB

Special Teams: C.J. Gradoville (Morningside College) - SO, K

 

WEEK 3:

Offense: Jeremy Zientek (St. Xavier (Ill.) University) - SR, QB

Defense: Jordan Highley (Friends University) - JR, DE

Special Teams: Daniel Carter (University of Saint Francis (Ind.)) - JR, TB

 

WEEK 4:

Offense: Chris Ware (Eastern Oregon University) - FR, QB

Defense: Derrick Sullivan (Sterling (Kan.) College) - SR, LB

Special Teams: Ryan Nanney (Lambuth (Tenn.) University) - JR, K

 

WEEK 5:

Offense: Erik Walden (Bacone (Okla.) College) - JR, QB

Defense: Carl Thomas (University of Saint Francis (Ind.)) - JR, ILB

Special Teams: Chris Rodgers (Saint. Xavier (Ill.) University) - SR, DB

 

WEEK 6:

Offense: Ian Gilworth (Morningside (Iowa) College) - SR, QB

Defense: Eric Adolph (Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) University) - SR, CB

Special Teams: Braden Dragomir (Bethel (Kan.) College) - SR, K

 

WEEK 7:

Offense: A.J. Cooley (Shorter (Ga.) College) - JR, FB

Defense: Rob Foley (Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) University) - SO, FS

Special Teams: Corey O'Neill (Southern Oregon University) - SR, K

 

Week 8:

Offense: James McClain (Cumberland (Tenn.) University) - FR, RB

Defense: Michael Wright (Ohio Dominican University) - SR, DB

Special Teams: Kyle Chilton (Pikeville (Ky.) College) - JR, K/P

 

Week 9:

Offense: Mike Brinkley (Union (Ky.) College) - FR, QB

Defense: Dennis Thornton (Malone (Ohio) University) - SR, DB

Special Teams: Jacob Appleby (Union (Ky.) College) - FR, K/P

 

Week 10:

Offense: Cris Reisert (Ohio Dominican University) - SR, QB

Defense: Kurtis Lane (Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) University) - SR, DL

Special Teams: Cody Capps (University of St. Francis (Ind.)) - SR, LB